Ronnie Singleton, 41, Lithonia, Georgia, a business owner who held himself out to be an investor and loan broker was sentenced to 27 months in prison for his role in defrauding investors of more than $800,000.

The defendant previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to Count One of an indictment charging him with conspiring to commit wire fraud. Judge Salas imposed the sentence in Newark federal court.

According to documents in this case and statements made in court:

Singleton owned and operated a business called Wonder World Inc. and held himself out to be a financier. Using the Internet and telephone, he met his codefendant, Michael Woodruff, 66, Peeples Valley, Ariz., and the two agreed to work together to find investors.

Singleton falsely represented that he would providing financing for real estate deals through a “European system of financing” that involved leasing financial instruments. Singleton received more than $800,000 in investors’ funds, $360,000 of which he wired to Woodruff. Instead of obtaining the promised financing for the real estate projects, Singletoninstead used the investors’ money for his own personal benefit.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Salas sentenced Singletonto three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $830,500 in restitution. Woodruffpreviously pleaded guilty in Arizona federal court to his role in the scheme and is awaiting sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced the sentence.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford; and inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates, for the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny Kramer of the Economic Crimes Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlton Rugg of the Criminal Division.

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